Vocabulary - Definitions and Context
- Astronomer:
- a scientist who studies outer space
Context: Wouldn’t it be awesome to be an astronomer and work at McDonald Observatory in west-Texas? - Astronomy:
- the science of studying outer space
Context: George Observatory at Brazos Bend State Park has great programs for kids who want to learn about astronomy! - Big Dipper:
- this group of stars is part of the constellation Ursa Major, or Big Bear
Context: In Texas, you can see the Big Dipper all year round. - Constellation:
- a group of stars visible within an area of the night sky
Context: Look for the constellation Leo in our Texas skies during springtime. - Galaxy:
- a group of stars, planets, and dust held together by gravity
Context: We live in a galaxy called the Milky Way. - Leonid meteor shower:
- a meteor shower that happens each November
Context: Early morning, before the sun rises, is often the best time to watch the Leonid meteor shower. - Light pollution:
- Misdirected, misused, or just too much light that creates a glow in the sky
Context: The glow from light pollution keeps our night skies from being as black as they used to be. - Light-year:
- the unit used to measure how far apart things are in outer space
Context: A single light-year equals a distance of 5,865,696,000,000 miles! Whoa! That’s a loooong way! - Little Dipper:
- this group of stars is part of the constellation Ursa Minor, or Little Bear
Context: The North Star, or Polaris, sits on the very tip of the handle of the Little Dipper. - Meteor shower:
- a display of lots of meteors streaking through the sky per hour
Context: Watch the Perseid meteor shower and you might see 80 meteors in one hour! - Meteor:
- created when space dust enters our atmosphere at super speed
Context: When you see a shooting star you're really seeing a meteor! - Meteorite:
- a piece of a meteor that survives its journey through our atmosphere
Context: A meteorite looks like a rock, but will be extra heavy because it'll likely contain lots of metal. - Milky Way:
- the name of the galaxy that Earth is in
Context: The Milky Way contains 200 to 400 billion stars! - Perseid meteor shower:
- a meteor shower that happens each August
Context: Watch the Perseid meteor shower and you might see up to 80 meteors in one hour!